ANCHORAGE - Kris Perry, director of the Governor's Office of International Trade, welcomed a new air carrier providing passenger charters connecting Russia and Alaska on July 7. Vladivostok Air's inaugural flight arrived at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport at 5:45 this morning and departed for Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at 7:45 a.m. Airport and state officials, along with representatives from Vladivostok Air, cut the ribbon for the first Anchorage departure of the new schedule.

"It's a delight to welcome Vladivostok Air, a company with a 75-year history, to Alaska," Perry said. "After more than five years without direct air service to Russia, we Alaskans appreciate the important link this provides to both sides. This new service is great for Alaska."

Vladivostok Air has announced a two-month schedule of weekly charters between Anchorage and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, with same-plane service on to Vladivostok.